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Most people at some point in
their life will have to take a Stress Test of some form or another. Armed with
sound facts will help you to ease any anxiety you may have at the
mere thought of making a stress test. This Article is dedicated to explaining
the many different types of stress testing and hopefully make you a more
informed test subject.
1. Standard Pen and Paper Stress
Test. These tests are the least "stressful"! You'll merely need to
answer various questions about your life-style and general predilections. You will only
help yourself by being honest and answering in as full detail as imaginable. What you are occupied
about? What is going on in your life. These
stress tests are a breeze. The results can often lead to a more loosened up and
stress free life. While you may be surprised at the final result, only those who take
corrective action will fully profit from these varieties of stress tests. 2.
Internet Stress Test. BEWARE!!! Many of these tests are designed to finally
sell you something. Make sure the test is designed by a legitimate organization
with no ulterior motives. While these tests can actually be humorous at times,
it is decidedly a buyer beware marketplace. 3.
Exercise Stress Test. This is the most primary type of physical Stress Test. It is
contrived to give a physician a basic understanding of cardiac function and
pulmonary function. A cardiologist will hook you up to an EKG and have you
gradually increment the speed and pitch of the treadmill until you are at a
zippy jogging pace. With the latest technology available in nuclear stress
testing, this test is considered a dinosaur. If you are experiencing any
symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, radiating arm pain or persistent
shoulder blade pain then this test is going to very inadequate.
4.
Thallium Stress Test. This is the most advanced
physical stress test available. This test is usually dispensed to people who
are getting chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms related to
end stage coronary artery disease. Thallium Stress tests are just like an
exercise test in that your heart is "stressed" through exercise. The
big difference is that there is imaging of the heart that is done as well after
an shot is given of a low dose of radioactive dye. This permits the
cardiologist to view blood flow to the heart to see where inadequacies occur and
therefore a narrowing greater than 70% is taking place. This will suggest that end
stage obstructive coronary artery disease is happening and a further invasive
procedure like cardiac catheterization is required. In some cases where
someone is unable to run on a treadmill, the doctor will induce stress
pharmacologically.
Our location has a description of the several different forms of thallium stress testing available. They include the following: Adenosine Thallium Stress test, Bruce Protocol Stress Test, Persantine Thallium Stress Test, Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test, Cardiolite Thallium Stress Test and Cardiac Stress Test.
Stress Testing is an first-class
test in the APPROPRIATE patient. Most people do not understand
that 68% of all heart attacks occur in early stage heart disease that will go
altogether undetected by any type of Stress Test. It has been substantially proven that
56% of all people who have a NORMAL Nuclear Stress Test have
enough early stage heart disease to justify treating that patient as if they
have already had their first Heart Attack. That is why all men over the age of
35 and all women above the age of 45 should have a EBT Heart Scan. An Excellent
source of information on this test can be found at Inner
Imaging, P.C.
While stress testing diverges
widely, the best place to start is your mD. Especially if you are
feeling any types of symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
While most doctors are informed about heart disease in general, it is very
difficult for them to keep up on all aspects of medicine. If your worried
about heart disease for any reason then you must have your primary care doctor
refer you to a qualified cardiologist. A medical specialist should always have the best
tools available at his fingertips. If you are feeling sudden onset
of chest pain or shortness of breath; DO NOT HESITATE! CALL AN AMBULANCE AT 911
IMMEDIATELY! These first symptoms may be your last. If
you live in the New York City area an would like to find the right cardiac care
conceivable, call 212-777-8900. This is the Center for Preventive Cardiology
affiliated with the Heart Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center. They have all
the latest technologies available to help you with you cardiac care. Help Your
Heart Stay Healthy!
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